Sadettin Orhan writes: The Q & A day

Q: Dear Orhan Bey,

I read your recent column regarding availability of UHI insurance for foreigners under Law 5510. I want to apply to UHI. Could you please advise me as to the application procedure for this.Thank you. Kurt

A: Dear Kurt, for registration to Universal Health Insurance, or UHI, you can apply the nearest Social Security Directorate (Sosyal Güvenlik Müdürlüğü) which located every city. When applyingfor UHI, remember to have these documents ready:

·Your residence permit document,

·Turkish ID number and

·Your passport.

After the application, you will be registered as an insured person.

Q: Hello Sadettin,

We went to the recommended office here in Fethiye for UHI registration and were told that we need to go to Mugla to register. The distance between the towns is probably over 100 kilometres, surely there must be a local office where we can register. Come 1st of October it is unlikely that many local ex-pats will be registering.

There seems to be little or no local information available, just rumours, and we are getting so close to the deadline, it's going to be pandemonium come that date. We don't want to break the law. Colin

A: Dear Colin, you are absolutely right. The Social Security Institution, or SSI, should take precautions against the possible confusion. Thank you this sensitivity.

Q: Dear Sadettin Orhan;

I have a residence permit. This is my third residence permit. After that, can I get a permanent residence permit? Best regards. Nancy

A: Dear Nancy, I have written several articles about residence and work permits in past. The residence permit can only be renewed a maximum of four times.According to Law 5683, Article 9, “Residency permits granted to foreigners shall not be more than five years.” However, in practice, taking into account the principle of reciprocity, can be extended permit period.

Q: If I apply to private hospital as Universal Health Insurance holder, should I pay extra fee? Jamal

Q: Dear Jamal, if you apply to private hospital or private university hospital, you pay 30% of the total health costs. The part of %70 is paid by SSI. Apart from that, you pay 15 Turkish Liras as a fixed contribution. 25 Sept.2010